It was a good weekend for Monaghan county teams, with the minor hurlers qualifying for the Ulster Shield Final thanks to a two-point win over Cavan on Friday and the senior ladies footballers getting the better of Dublin in the NFL Division One semi-finals on Sunday. It was also a busy few days on the club scene.
Scotstown now have six wins from six in the GRM Minor Football League Division One after they edged out neighbours Monaghan Harps on Monday, while Killanny got their first win at the expense of Carrickmacross and Castleblayney and Clontibret played out a draw.
Ballybay and Carrickmacross continue to share top spot in the Drumlin Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League after round five. Christopher McGuinness hit an impressive 4-2 to lead still-unbeaten Ballybay to a six-point win at home to Monaghan Harps on Sunday, while Carrick escaped with a very narrow win from Currin. Sunday’s other game saw Truagh come from six points down to beat Scotstown in a hard-hitting north-Monaghan derby at St. Mellan’s. Magheracloone moved into a share of third place with a two-point win over Castleblayney on Saturday and they are joined by Latton, who easily got the better of an understrength Clontibret. Leaving aside the top two, the other eight teams are separated by just two points in a very congested league table.
There are still four teams bunched at the top of the Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League after the quartet all picked up full points on Saturday. Goals by Raymond Ronaghan (two), Peadar Farrelly and Dean Treanor gave Tyholland a comfortable win away to Toome, while Aughnamullen had enough in the tank to see off Inniskeen, Donaghmoyne saw off fellow south-Monaghan men Corduff in a thriller and Doohamlet cruised to victory against struggling Seán McDermotts. Sunday’s only fixture produced a draw between Cremartin and Rockcorry.
Emyvale beat nearest challengers Oram to move three points clear in the Eurotech Junior Football League on Sunday. That result allowed Killeevan and Drumhowan to draw level with Oram in second place after they played out a dramatic draw – a late goal by Declan Clerkin saving a point for the Sarsfields. Aghabog and Clones moved clear of the bottom with hard-earned wins over Blackhill and Éire Óg respectively.
Éire Óg, Aughnamullen, Scotstown and Emyvale advanced through the first round of the Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Championship Crawley Cup with wins over Monaghan Harps, Rockcorry, Blackhill and Truagh respectively on Friday.
By michael Tue 1st May
